Cornerback Dee Milliner (Alabama) is introduced as the ninth overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft by the New York Jets at Radio City Music Hall. / Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK â?? Dee Milliner didn't make a bold statement when asked about replacing Darrelle Revis.

No, the New York Jets' first-round pick saved that for the question about facing Tom Brady.

"It's always a good challenge to go up against one of the greatest quarterbacks in our division. I'm looking forward to that," the former Alabama cornerback said. "Hopefully, I get my hands on a couple of his balls and take them back."

The Jets had two early picks â?? Nos. 9 and 13 â?? with which to rebuild a defense that has undergone plenty of change since general manager John Idzik took over with the release of a few veterans and of course the trade of Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

That's exactly what Idzik did with the selection of Milliner and Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson with the second of those picks â?? the one they acquired from Tampa.

They did not take a quarterback. They also didn't move up to grab wide receiver Tavon Austin, whom many believed they would chase. They stayed put and made decisions for the long run and did not chase immediate fixes.

They also have two guys, whom Idzik said were rated in the team's top four on their board, hoping to make Brady's life miserable.

"Everybody wants a piece of Tom Brady and a guys of their stature," Richardson said. "They don't get touched a lot, really, or throw picks. So we've got to make him do that."

Milliner was a question mark for many teams because of multiple surgeries during his time at Alabama. The latest was a torn labrum that required surgery this offseason. So that's a bunch of surgeries coming in to help replace one repaired ACL in Revis' knee.

"I know the questions are going to come. Whoever, not just me, whoever would've come in was going to get asked the same thing," Milliner said. "I can only control what I can do. I can't focus on replacing somebody because if you focus on that, you're going to mess up on other things."

Despite his injury history, Milliner received a nice ovation from the Jets fans in the rafters at Radio City.

Richardson, on the other hand, was booed because the fans wanted an edge pass rusher.

"Oh man, that was fine. I had a mixed crowd â?? boos and yays," he said with a grin. "You can change that in one game."

The Jets aren't going to change their fortunes in one game. The roster has far too many issues for that, starting with Mark Sanchez or David Garrard as quarterback.

But Idzik didn't waver. And Rex Ryan got a couple of defensive players, which pleased him.

Milliner and Richardson were also happy to be playing for a defensive-minded coach.

"Most definitely. He's on your side of the ball," Richardson said. "He understands what you're going though and what your mind capacity is."